Good Grass Guide from Barenbrug

1. www.barenbrug.co.uk
Proudly supporting British farmers
Good Grass Guide
The simple grassland
management guide

2. Barenbrug - grass experts since 1904.
Barenbrug is one of the UK’s largest grass seed producers – breeding varieties for every possible
forage and turf application, and distributing more than 4,500 tonnes of seed each year to
agricultural, equestrian, amenity and residential markets.
Part of the Royal Barenbrug Group, the company was founded in the Netherlands in 1904 and
operates in 16 countries worldwide. With proprietary plant breeding and production technologies,
Barenbrug works closely with academic institutes, customers and the international research
community to develop improved grass seed varieties. Barenbrug’s portfolio includes grass varieties
and mixtures that offer improved yield, disease resistance, drought tolerance, palatability, nitrogen
efficiency, winter survival, rumen stimulation, protein production, cool-temperature germination, and
rapid recovery from damage.
Experts in agricultural grass, Barenbrug has a team of specialists located across the UK. Working
closely with farmers, the team provides practical advice to help farmers get more from their grass in
terms of yield, quality and persistency.
Barenbrug’s UK headquarters are in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk with additional regional centres in
Falkirk, Scotland and Loughgall, Northern Ireland plus trials sites throughout the UK. The company
has ISO9001 certification plus Soil Association accreditation for its organic varieties.
GRASS
UK FARMING’S CROP
Good quality grazed grassland is the cheapest feed for ruminant livestock and is the base upon which
profitable farming is built. Over 70% of utilisable agricultural land in the UK is grassland with nearly 57%
given over as permanent pasture.
The UK has the ideal climate for growing grass. Ryegrass grows best at between 5°C to 25°C – and most
of the UK is between these temperatures 95% of the time.
Like all other crops, growing grass requires careful management to maximise yields and utilisation. It is a
science – but a relatively simple one to grasp once you have a basic understanding of plant as well as
animal physiology and good soil management techniques.
Armed with information about how grass grows and the different species and management techniques
available, it is easy for farmers to make informed choices about what kind of grass to grow; when to sow it;
when to graze it; how long to graze it for; and what to do to ensure its performance long-term.
TREAT YOUR GRASSLAND LIKE AN ARABLE CROP

3. Aside from farm gate prices, which are not within our control, there are two driving factors in every
farming enterprise:
-
- Production costs
-
- Animal and crop performance
By aiming to reduce production costs and improve animal and crop (especially grass) performance
we can maximise productivity and therefore improve profitability.
One of the best ways of doing this is to grow as much top-quality forage as possible – reducing your
reliance on bought-in feed products.
Grazed grass is the cheapest feed available on most British farms.
Whether grazed or fed as silage, it can provide more than half of the dry matter intake of most dairy
cows and, as a general rule, more for beef animals and sheep.
The UK has over 17 million hectares of managed grassland – yet much of it is poorly utilised.
To grow top quality forage efficiently, it is important that leys are in good condition and not overrun with
weed grasses that have little or no nutritional value.
The best way to get the most from your grass is to maintain young, well-managed clover / ryegrass-based
swards – either by regularly reseeding or overseeding.
By treating grass like any other arable crop; selecting the right grass seed products for your farm; and
reseeding regularly, it is possible to have a major impact on milk and meat production costs.
Did you know that making a relatively small investment in your grass can have a major impact on its quality,
productivity and utilisation.
A reseeding rate of just 10% is enough to prevent a decline in grass productivity while a 15% rate will start to
deliver real gains. Conversely, fields that are not reseeded will quickly become overrun with weed species
with little or no nutritional value.
GRASS
THE POTENTIAL
< POTENTIAL GRASS YIELD: 15T DM/HA/ANNUM
GRASS
THE BENEFITS

4. TRANSFORM YOUR FARMING
Benefits of 1st year reseed
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
8 year-old field
1 year-old field
T DM/ha
5.5T
15T
Another way to look at the numbers is to assess the amount of dry matter produced. A field that is 50%
ryegrass and 50% weed grasses will obviously not be as productive as a young sward.
The graph below shows that just one year after reseeding, weed species can make up to 18% of a
sward. After four years, that figure has more than doubled to 38% and, after eight years, weeds will
be starting to dominate the sward (51%).
On average, an eight-year old field will typically yield around 5.5T DM/ha compared with a new
field, which could produce around 15T DM/ha - meaning you could be missing out on three times as
much grass.
Perennial ryegrass and weed grass response to nitrogen and £ Value of N wasted
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Creeping Bent
Meadow Grass
Yorkshire Fog
Perennial Ryegrass
% N reponse | £ N Wasted
100%
42%
33%
17%
£0 -£176.60 -£204.00 -£252.70
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Years after reseeding
1
Weed species
present
in the sward
2 3 4 8 20+
18% 24% 32% 38% 51% 88%
THE COST OF DOING NOTHING
AVERAGE BEEF & SHEEP FARM YIELD : 4.1T DM/HA/ANNUM
AVERAGE DAIRY FARM YIELD : 7.5T DM/HA/ANNUM
<
<
Older fields will also prove problematic when it comes to the use of fertiliser - wasting around £105’s worth
per year.
Figures are based on:
-
- Ammonium nitrate at £350/tonne, with an assumed application rate of 300kg/ha.
A WASTE OF FERTILISER
*Figures are based on Dry matter value of £140/t
EACH FIELD !

5. Reseeding can feel like a major investment but if you look at the numbers they are actually very persuasive.
Yes, there is an initial outlay, but if you consider the DM, animal and milk gains to be had, it is definitely
worthwhile.
On average, a reseed will cost around £650 per hectare (ha). After a reseed, new grass, in a two-cut
system, will typically provide an ME of 133,320 MJ/ha.
This energy is capable of producing more than 25,150 litres of milk, 2050 kg of lamb or 2400 kg of beef.
Using average milk and meat prices that equates to:
-
- £6,966 worth of milk
-
-
£8,544 worth of beef
-
-
£8,286 worth of lamb.
Animals are also more likely to eat young, high quality grass. New swards are significantly more digestible
and offer higher protein content. Research has shown that animals will eat more of varieties with a high
digestibility (D-value) and are able to absorb a greater proportion of the feed, which they have eaten.
Achieving just a 1% improvement in digestibility can improve animal output by 5%.
Figures are based on:
-
- The ive-year rolling average price for milk of 27.7p (AHDB Farmgate milk prices 1
1/5/18)
-
- The average UK Beef price of 356ppk (for 2013 – 2016, AHDB)
-
- The average UK Lamb price of 404.2ppk (for 2013 – 2016, AHDB)
REASONS TO RESEED
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Here’s an overview of typical costs associated with reseeding and overseeding. When you compare costs
with the financial return on offer in the first year after a reseed, we think the numbers are compelling.
There aren’t many investments where the return on investment is so good.
Cost of reseeding (ha)
Spraying material 5l/ha Glyphosate £ 15.00
Spraying costs x2 £ 40.00
Ploughing £ 60.00
Rotovating x2 £128.00
Rolling x4 £ 80.00
Fertiliser 250kg/h 8.20.30 £ 98.00
Fertiliser application £ 14.00
Grass drilling £ 60.00
Grass seed £ 175.00 (Just 20-25% of total cost)
Post emergence spray £ 35.00
Total Cost £ 650
COST OF OVERSEEDING (HA)
Soil sample £ 15.00
Lime/Fert/Spray as needed £ 50/ha
Grass drilling £ 60/ha
Grass seed £ 75/ha
Total Cost £ 200
THERE ARE NOT MANY INVESTMENTS WHERE YOU
CAN DOUBLE YOUR MONEY THAT EASILY!
0
350
700
1050
1400
Not reseeded
Reseeded
£ increase per field
£1,330
£0
REASONS TO RESEED
ACTUAL COSTS

6. 1
<
UNDERSTAND -
- Get a grasp on your grass
-
- Use our Field Indexing guide
2
<
THINK SOILS
-
- Get soil structure and soil fertility right to optimise
grass growth and quality
-
- Regularly dig soil assessment pits to examine soil
structure and check for compaction
-
- Soil sampling should be conducted every 3 – 5
years and any deficiencies addressed
3
<
PLAN
-
- Reseed 15% of your grass per year
-
- Understand and select the right grass mixture for
your needs
-
- Treat your grassland like an arable crop
-
- Understand when to sow
4
<
ESTABLISH
& DEVELOP
-
- Reseeding
-
- Overseeding
-
- Managing and plan ahead
4 STEPS TO SUCCESS
Hopefully we’ve convinced you that doing nothing with your grass is actually the worst decision you could
make. Assuming you’ve decided to invest in a new sward, we suggest these four steps. The following pages
walk you through our phased approach to turning your grass into gold.
All farmers are used to looking at the condition of their stock with most using the 1 to 5 condition index as
a way of monitoring performance.
We apply a similar principle to gauging grass quality - with 5 being a good sward that is highly productive,
and 1 being a field that needs addressing straight away.
Coming up, we’ll show you how to apply our field indexing system to monitor your sward so you can
maximise your profit from good grass.
The first step is to complete a visual assessment of your field/s. Areas of grassland that need most attention
should be easy to spot. Look for unhealthy shades of yellowy green, a clear indicator of stress. Patchy areas
of growth are also a definite sign of compaction and poor soil structure.
GET A GRASP ON
YOUR GRASS
FIELD INDEXING
STEP
1
INDEXES
5
UNDERSTAND

7. This field is past its best and is classed as an INDEX 1.
HOW TO SCORE
Walk the field and assess grass content.
An INDEX 1 field will have less than 25% sown productive species left and the ryegrass that remains will
be of very poor quality.
The gaps created by the disappearing ryegrass have been filled up with broad-leaved weeds and weed
grasses like annual meadowgrass, yorkshire fog, bent grasses, chewings fescue and strong creeping red
fescue.
All these weed grasses are totally unproductive to the field, delivering less than 25% of what perennial
ryegrass will produce.
An index 1 field will deteriorate quicker than other fields as it is not wear tolerant, so will not be able to resist
poaching by grazing animals.
WHAT THIS MEANS
A field with a classification of INDEX 1 is not nutritious, has no feed value and is therefore of no use to
ruminant livestock.
KEY POINTS
-
- Less than 25% sown species
-
- Extremely open sward
-
- Gaps these are filled with weed grasses/weeds
-
- High weed content
-
- Applying fertiliser will not help the situation
-
- Only course of action is to plough field and reseed.
WHAT TO DO
The field has gone past the stage of being profitable.
It isn’t worth putting any fertiliser on the grass that is left as it will not be used efficiently (you’ll get around
10-15% efficiency from any fertiliser that is applied).
In this situation, with less than 25% of productivity from the field, the best course of action is to plough up
the field and start again with a re-seed.
INDEX 1

8. There is evidence throughout this field that it has been considerably damaged by overwintering of stock -
making it an INDEX 2.
HOW TO SCORE
Walk the field and assess grass content.
An INDEX 2 field will have less than 40% sown, productive species with less than 10% clover (if sown),
coupled with more than 40% weed content or gaps.
The sward will be very open.
There is some ryegrass left in the field, but it is of very poor quality.
This could be because of a number of factors including poor weather or a lack of density in the existing
sward.
WHAT THIS MEANS
A field at INDEX 2 needs to be looked at immediately. If something is not done with this field very soon it
will be a complete write-off.
WHAT TO DO
There are still a couple of options available to fix an INDEX 2 field.
1) Burn off the existing sward and reseed
2) Use the less expensive options and overseed.
When considering overseeding, we suggest using national recommended lists and consider varieties based
on sward density, palatability and yield.
Overseeding this sward could easily turn it from an INDEX 2 to an INDEX 3 or 4 and we could get three to
four extra years production from the field without having to do a complete reseed.
INDEX 2
KEY POINTS
-
- Less than 40% sown species with less than 10% white clover (if sown)
-
- More than 40% weed content or gaps
-
- Sward very open and annual meadow grass present
-
- pH and nutrient levels low
-
- Field will be a write-off unless something is done urgently
-
- The cost of replacing lost forage with concentrate or bought in forage will be incurred.

9. WHAT TO DO
This is an ideal stage to correct the problem.
Between March and April, the docks are healthy and actively growing, with good weather conditions. To
tackle docks, use an overall spray such as Dockstar Pro.
Once the docks have been removed, overseed with a quality grass seed to get productivity back into the
sward before weeds get a chance to thrive in the bare earth.
Follow manufacturers instructions in regards to when to over sow after using a herbicide to avoid any issues
with young grass seedlings.
This is also an ideal time to add clover. This will boost the durability of the sward, extending its lifetime by
a couple of years.
This field is five years old.
There are lots of open spaces and this is allowing plenty of room for weeds (such as docks) to come in and
dominate the sward, meaning this can be classed as an INDEX 3.
HOW TO SCORE
Walk the field and assess grass content.
An INDEX 3 field will have a total of 50-60% sown, productive
species (including any clover at less than 10%, if sown).
It will also have approximately 40% weeds or gaps.
There will be docks covering around 20-25% of the field and at this
level it means you are losing up to a quarter of yield from it.
WHAT THIS MEANS
At INDEX 3, the field is in an ideal situation to correct the problem and extend the life of the sward.
-
- 50-60% sown species with less than 15% white clover (if sown)
-
- 20-25% weed content = losing a quarter of grass yield
-
- Sward starting to look quite open with annual meadow grass starting to appear
-
- pH may be below optimum of pH 6
-
- Macronutrient levels below optimum
-
- Soil sample and check docks infestation
-
- Treat perennial weeds and oversow with grass and clover (where applicable) to extend the life of the
sward.
INDEX 3
KEY POINTS

10. WHAT TO DO
In these swards nutritional quality will generally not constrain animal performance. The energy content
of good, well-grazed ryegrass swards is consistent at above 1
1.5 MJ/kg DM.
Nitrogen can influence the ability of the grass plant to tiller. The more tillers ryegrass plants have, the
denser they are, and the less prone they are to weed invasion, which is one of the reasons why clover is so
important.
To keep on top of an INDEX 4 field you need to check soil fertility regularly and apply a light application
of summer Nitrogen to encourage tillering.
This field will probably be good for the coming season but if the ryegrass content drops below 60% it will
require further action.
Some parts of this field are starting to show signs of low level damage. Grass growth is less vigorous and
there are some weeds visible; however, there are still plenty of healthy target plants in the sward and it can
be classed as an INDEX 4 field.
HOW TO SCORE
Walk the field and assess grass content.
The goal is to achieve as dense a sward as possible to eliminate any invasion of unproductive species.
An INDEX 4 field will have a total of 60-70% sown, productive species (with ryegrass content of 60-70%,
and clover making up 30-40% of the plant population).
If these levels of productive species content are achieved the clover will be adding 170-220kg N/ha/yr,
coupled with a high protein content of 27%, which helps ensure high animal performance.
WHAT THIS MEANS
This field will be good for the coming season, but it will have to be monitored and planned improvements
(overseeding) will be needed if the productive species drops below 60%.
-
- 60-70% sown species
-
- Ryegrass between 60-70% and clover content 30-40%
-
- Some weed ingression, less than 10%, but not a significant burden
-
- This field is in good condition, but there may be signs of wear and tear
-
- Still a good proportion of healthy plants
-
- This field will probably be good for the coming season
-
- Planning of its maintenance needs to be scheduled.
INDEX 4
KEY POINTS

11. WHAT TO DO
In order to maintain a sward like this it is important to have good soil fertility.
Regular soil sampling, every three to five years, will ensure you monitor where you are and what you need
to focus on.
50% of UK grassland soils tested have a pH of between 5 and 6. A pH of 5 means the grassland has a
maximum yield potential of around 88%.
When planning a liming policy it is important to aim for maintaining pHs of 6 or above.
Regular soil sampling will also give you Phosphate and Potash indices.
The use of Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) gives recommendations for all cutting and grazing
regimes for Phosphate and Potash, Nitrogen and Sulphur fertilisers as well as values for slurry and farmyard
manure. All of these need to be taken into account when planning a fertiliser regime.
This is a nice healthy sward. It has a high content of productive grasses, creating a nice tight, dense sward
and can be classed as an INDEX 5.
HOW TO SCORE
Walk the field and assess grass content.
An INDEX 5 field will have at least 80% sown, productive species (with clover making up 30-40% of the
plant population).
There will be minimal weed content or gaps.
WHAT THIS MEANS
The key here is to maintain the field at this level and use it as an example to get as many fields up to this
level as possible.
-
- Greater than 80% sown species, with 30-40% white clover (if sown)
-
- This is a healthy sward with high content of productive grasses; the key here is to maintain it
-
- Dense, leafy sward with tight sole
-
- Regular soil testing and soil structure monitoring
-
- Maintaining an optimum of pH 6
-
- Use the RB209 to plan a fertiliser regime.
INDEX 5
KEY POINTS

12. NEXT STEPS
BLANK SCORING INDEX SHEETS AT THE
REAR OF THIS NOTE BOOK.
Watch video guide at:
www.barenbrug.co.uk/GoodGrassGuide
SUMMARY
FIELD INDEXING
Many fields may look good from afar, but you need to get up close to see if there any problems.
REMEMBER
-
- Grass is the cheapest source of animal feed
-
- Walk your fields regularly conducting a visual health check using our field indexing system
-
- Fields that are INDEX 4 or 5 are profitable, highly productive and worth maintaining
-
- Fields at INDEX 3 have some problems but are salvageable with some attention and investment
-
- With INDEX of 1 or 2 fields it is best to start again
-
- Remember, doing nothing can be a costly decision.
HELPING YOU MONITOR AND SCORE YOUR FIELDS
At the back of this notebook is our simple field indexing scoring chart to enable you to keep checking and
analysing your fields.
See opposite for a sample scorecard.
FIELD NAME: Example - Barenbrug Field
MIXTURE/SPECIES SOWN Example - BarForage Barmix
Date: Sept 2014 April 2015 May 2016 May 2017
Score: 3 4 5 5
pH: 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.3
P and K Index: 1 & 1 2 & 2 2 & 2 2 & 2
Fertiliser Applications:
Dung 200kg 16.16.16.
2t Ca Lime
Slurry, 2t Ca Lime,
150 25.5.5
150kg
Slurry & 150 AN.
150kg
Cutting/Grazing Regime: grazed all year graze, 1 cut, graze 2 cuts, graze graze
NOTES/PLANNED ACTIONS
Sep 12: Field looking open and not performing. Soil test showed low fertility.
Also sprayed for thistle and nettles.
July 14: Added white clover to sward and more lime. Fertiliser applications match to expected yield.
Field looking much better, few thistles, spot sprayed.
May 15: Soil results much better. Grass performing and clover well established.
SCORING INDEX

13. There is a saying, it isn’t the animal or the bag that feeds the crop, it’s the soil. Looking after soil fertility and
structure are the two key fundamentals of any good grassland management scheme. Soil structure affects
root penetration, water availability and soil aeration - so it’s important to take time to look at your soil
structure and make sure it is healthy and capable of giving your grass exactly what it needs.
Good soil structure has many benefits. It allows the roots of crops to go much deeper into the earth, providing
a better supply of water and allowing crops to access the full range of benefits from the soil. Land with a
good soil structure will drain more quickly in the spring and take longer to wet up in the autumn, giving you
a longer, safe working period on the land.
Poor soil structure can lead to increased surface water runoff, poor yields and excessive use of nutrients
and pesticides. There are many ways to tackle poor soil structure. These need to be tailored to the unique
needs of each field.
Ideally soil sampling should be conducted every 3 – 5 years to help maintain healthy soil conditions and
correct any issues that arise. Soil sampling can take place at any time of year but is best done when the soil
is moist. If the soil is too dry or too wet it is difficult to obtain a representative sample. Roots are best seen
in an established crop or for some months after harvest. Ideally, you should soil sample six months before
reseeding to allow time for any deficiencies to be rectified before sowing valuable seed.
SOIL MANAGEMENT
NUTRIENTS &
STRUCTURE
SOIL SAMPLING
When soil sampling, pay particular attention to areas prone to compaction. Possible areas of runoff should
be examined, for example, headlands and wet spots. Areas where crop growth is poor should also be
looked at.
Normally you’ll need to dig at least three holes need to be dug in a field to get an accurate reflection of the
field’s condition. More holes may be needed in large fields and where there are a range of soil types. Mark
out a square area of about 50cm then dig down to a depth of at least 30 – 40cms. Take a close look at the
soil structure you’ve dug out. If the grass roots aren’t penetrating below 10cm then you are dealing with a
clear case of compaction. Another sign is the water content of the soil. If the soil is bone dry from 7 - 15cms
down then that’s another sign of compaction.
Soil pH is more important than NPK. To enable nutrients to be optimally available to the plant’s roots, aim
for a pH of at least 6, especially where clover is sown and P & K indices of 2/moderate. Just a small decline
in target pH to 5.5 can reduce grass yields by 35-40%. The more acidic the soil, the greater the chance of
lock up – which makes vital nutrients unavailable to plants.
Remember to consider trace elements. Some bedrocks are deficient in particular elements, which are
important to cattle. If the elements are not present in the soil, they cannot be taken up by grass and so need
to be supplied by other methods e.g. supplementation, fertilisers or boluses.
Farm Yard Manures (FYM) are another important source of nutrients. The table below shows typical values,
however these can vary by enterprise, application timing and ground conditions. It is therefore essential
to analyse batches of FYM to make best allocation of nutrients within a farm nutrient management plan.
Farmers looking for advice on soil management best practice can contact the Barenbrug team for more
information or can consult Refer to Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) produced by the Agriculture &
Horticulture Development Board.
Manure Available N (kg/t) Available P (kg/t) Available K (kg/t)
Cattle Slurry 1.2 0.6 2.9
Cattle Manure (old) 0.6 1.9 7.2
Pig Slurry 2.5 0.9 2.2
Broiler Litter 10.5 15 16.2
STEP
2
THINK
SOILS

14. Planning to reseed 15% of your grassland every year will ensure that, within six years, you’ll have the latest
modern grass varieties available across your farm.
When deciding what grass to sow, think about the options and do your research. Don’t just rely on what you
know. Grass genetics have changed a lot in the last twenty years - with our grasses showing an average
year-on-year improvement in yield of 0.5%. It is unlikely that you’d rely on genetics from a quarter of a
century ago for your livestock - so why do the same with grass?
When choosing a grass seed mixture/product, think about what you want the crop to achieve:
-
- How long do you want it to last? (See the table below for a rough guide)
-
- What to sow?
-
- When to sow?
-
- Will it be cut or grazed? Or both?
-
- How will your field be grazed?
-
- Do you need strong ryegrass growth rates early in spring or is late spring feed quality more important?
-
- Which stock class will use the grass?
PLANNING
RESEED 15% OF
YOUR GRASSLAND
EVERY YEAR
Grass mixture type Typical duration
Annual Less than 1 year
Italian Ryegrass 1 – 2 years
Short Rotation 2 – 4 years
Long Rotation 5+ years
Perennial 8+ years
STEP
3
PLAN
WHAT TO SOW
DIPLOID V TETRAPLOID
If you don’t know much about grass, deciding between a diploid and tetraploid can be difficult/
confusing. Below we’ve detailed some differences to help making the decision-making process easier.
If you are still undecided, you could go for a mixture - giving you the best of both worlds. Whatever
route you choose, make sure the seed you pick is able to meet your needs. There can be a big difference
in the quality of mixture ranges available. Try to choose products or mixtures that contain grasses which
feature on national recommended lists. This will make sure you get a modern, well-developed variety,
that will perform as it should.
Once you’ve picked your grass seed mixture, the next step is to create a grassland management plan
and decide when would be the best time to take a field out of rotation to sow. Grass seed can be
sown at anytime from April to September - ideally when the soil is moist or when rain is forecast and
the weather is frost free. If possible keep animals off as long as possible to enable establishment and
manage the swards effectively - see Step 4 for other top tips.
Rotational grazing
OR
Short periods of set stocking
TETRAPLOID
mixtures
Having mixtures allows us
to have the best of both worlds!
Long periods of set stocking
DIPLOID
mixtures
More dense pasture
More forgiving under grazing in stress
environments
More competitive with weeds
Improved persistence
More palatable (higher soluble carbohydrate)
Improved & faster digestibility
(higher cell content ratio)
Improved utilisation & intake
Improved animal production
More clover friendly (10% more clover)
Visually more impressive
DIPLOIDS TETRAPLOIDS

15. DESCRIPTION An annual ryegrass. Recent breeding advances in the
development of quality Westerwold varieties mean it is now a
serious option for UK farmers.
Westerwold annual ryegrass is an ecotype of Italian ryegrass
selected for earliness, and is not botanically different from Italian
ryegrass and its characteristics are also similar.
WESTERWOLD
Lolium mul. westerwoldicum
DESCRIPTION Dark green, densely or loosely tufted. Folded shoot and leaves.
FLOWERING
HEAD
Flattened spike with the spikelets arranged alternately on
opposite sides of the stem. The spikelets are stalk-less with the
narrow, rounded face fitting against the stem.
LEAF BLADE Ribbed on upper surface, smooth and shiny underside.
Red at base of stem.
AURICLES &
LIGULE
Auricles are usually well developed, up to 1/12 of an inch (2
mm) long, or are sometimes lacking.
PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Lolium perenne
DESCRIPTION The hybrid ryegrass is a cross between the Italian and perennial
forms of ryegrass and shares characteristics of both.
The dominant parent determines how the variety performs in
the field.
Characterised as a rapid growing variety lasting from 1-5 years
or longer depending on summer conditions and endophyte
status.
HYBRID RYEGRASS
Lolium perenne
DESCRIPTION A brighter green than perennials, densely or loosely tufted.
Similar to ryegrass but leaves rolled into the bud and not
folded. Tends to be larger, stouter and more densely tufted than
ryegrass.
LEAF BLADE Ribbed on upper surface, smooth below.
Red at base.
AURICLES &
LIGULE
Narrow, spreading, prominent when old.
Small, 2mm. Blunt
ITALIAN RYEGRASS
Lolium multiflorum
DESCRIPTION Our modern Timothys are bred to have softer leaves and
higher palatability. The coarse tufted grass with many varieties
covering a range of growth habits. Generally light green or
greyish-green. Flattened shoot.
FLOWERING
HEAD
Dense cylindrical spike giving the alternative common name.
Spikelets are small, single flowered and tightly packed; green,
often tinted pink or white.
LEAF BLADE Flattended Broad leaves. Smooth, double rib down the centre.
Boat shaped at tip.
AURICLES &
LIGULE
Small and spreading, minutely hairy.
Short, 2mm. Finely serrated
TIMOTHY
Phleum pratense
DESCRIPTION Our modern Cocksfoots are bred to have softer leaves and
higher palatability. Large, coarse-looking tufted grass often
bluish-green in colour.
FLOWERING
HEAD
One-sided, distinctive flower/feather like seed head. Spikelets
are small flattened and condensed into oval shaped clusters.
LEAF BLADE Dull leaf, flattened, wide and flat
COCKSFOOT
Dactylis glomerata
DESCRIPTION Very tall tufted perennial forming dense tussocks. Tillers large
and foliage coarse. Short bristles along edge of collar (visible
with magnification).
LEAF BLADE Broad green leaves, fringed auricle and strongly ribbed leaves,
glossy lower surface.
Harsh to touch with fine silica teeth which can be felt.
AURICLES &
LIGULE
Small and spreading, minutely hairy.
Short, 2mm. Finely serrated
TALL FESCUE
Festuca arundinacea
DESCRIPTION Clover fixes nitrogen in the soil (figures of 170-220kg N/ha/
yr are achievable) -- and is therefore a very valuable species in
efficient grassland management.
WHITE
CLOVER
(white
flowers)
A perennial legume with round leaves and very long stalks. Key
to its survival is its multi-branched creeping stem (stolon), which
provides sites for new leaves, roots, and flowers.
RED CLOVER
(red flowers)
A short-lived perennial legume that typically lasts for two to four
years. In contrast to white clover, it has oval leaves, an upright
growth habit, and a strong deep tap root.
WHITE AND RED CLOVER
There are over 10,000 species of grass in the world. Naturally we can’t list them all here, so we’ve
concentrated on a selection of key productive species, which you can find detailed here. Of course, if you
need more grass advice specific to your needs and situation, get in touch.
PRODUCTIVE SPECIES GUIDE

16. THIS SIDE
Not overseeded last year
THIS SIDE
Overseeded last year
Choosing whether to go for a full reseed or to overseed can feel like another difficult decision - so feel free
to use our field indexing system as a guide. Generally we suggest that:
Field Indexing 2 – 4 = overseeding
Field Indexing 1 = reseeding
OVERSEEDING
Don’t be afraid of overseeding - A short- to medium-term fix
Currently only around 2% of UK grassland is being oversown. Overseeding is a short- to medium-term
option but it does provide a quick fix and is ultimately an effective method of improving productivity - while
keeping investment costs to a minimum.
Overseeding is ideal for farmers who need to improve grassland performance to help boost profits but,
understandably, feel nervous about investing in a full reseed or taking a field out of rotation.
While brand new swards will always outperform older grasses, overseeding can help to increase dry matter
yields short-term – reducing farm reliance on expensive bought-ins and even improving live weight gains.
Implemented carefully, overseeding has the potential to improve pasture productivity by between 30 to
40% for between three to four years, depending on field quality.
When overseeding, it is crucial to use a mixture designed specifically for this purpose. Any existing
productive grasses in the ley already have an established root system and an established leaf canopy to
capture light for photosynthesis. Any new grass seed that is introduced needs to be able to work with these
conditions and overseeding mixtures are blended accordingly. Typically, they contain tetraploid perennial
ryegrass varieties whose seeds are larger, have more aggressive growth habits and are faster to establish
within an existing sward. As well as tetraploid-based varieties, introducing clover could be another option.
Clover can fill in gaps to reduce weed ingress. It can also improve nitrogen levels – encouraging tillering,
which makes swards denser. Crucially, clover can also encourage higher voluntary intakes, improving live
weight gains.
ESTABLISH & DEVELOP
OVERSEEDING
RESEEDING
MANAGING
RESEEDING
For fields beyond repair and needing rejuventation
Reseeding grassland can feel like a major investment, especially if you’ve got a big farm, but you shouldn’t
underestimate its importance. Did you know that in order to just ‘stand still’ in terms of grass quality, you
should, ideally, reseed a minimum of 10% of your grass every year! While a 15% reseeding rate will start
to deliver real gains - and make a difference to your bottom line. Conversely, fields that are not reseeded
will quickly become overrun with weed species with little or no nutritional value.
See the next page for our simple guide to reseeeding.
STEP
4
ESTABLISH
&
DEVELOP

17. 1
Dig a soil assessment pit to look
for compaction and plant rooting
structure, which should go 30cm
deep in a perennial ryegrass/
Timothy sward.
Address compaction with aerators
or sub-soilers as needed.
2
Soil testing (4” deep) would also
be advantageous as high levels
of water can leach nutrients and
reduce pH significantly.
Assess what plants are there – learn
to identify what species you want
to have e.g. perennial ryegrass/
Timothy. Check for weed grasses,
they are usually shallow rooted and
pull out very easily.
If they make up more than 30% of
the sward, harrow hard to remove
them.
With a sward of more than 70%
weed grasses the best option is to
reseed the sward.
3
Minimise competition to new
seedlings by grazing tightly with
sheep or taking a silage cut. DO
NOT fertilise before overseeding.
4
Control perennial weeds before
seeding by spraying with a selective
herbicide.
5
Use a spring tine harrow to remove
any dead stalks, thatch and shallow
rooted weed grasses. Make sure
that the tines are working the top
1cm of the soil as this will create the
seed bed for the new seeds.
6
Choose a grass seed mixture
designed for the job.
Sow when the soil conditions are
neither excessively dry nor wet and
use a specialist mixture designed to
establish rapidly.
7
Roll the sward to ensure good seed
contact with the soil to conserve
moisture. 8
Graze lightly when the seedlings
are 10cm high and continue at
frequent intervals until the plants are
well established.
SEEDING STEPS

18. THE FIRST 12 MONTHS ARE CRITICAL
Sowing is not the end of grassland establishment. Newly sown leys should be considered as ‘establishing’
for the first 12 months. Many new leys achieve high DM yields in the first year, even though their rooting
structures are often poor - but management during the first year is critical to achieve longer-term persistency
of growth and performance.
The better the underground rooting system, the better the plants are able to withstand future adversity.
Generally, but not always, the more cover there is, the better established the grass sward.
Cherish new swards like growing young stock – they are the production house of the future.
-
- Treat your grassland like an arable crop
-
- Fertiliser - New grassland responds well to light applications of N fertiliser
-
- Watch out for sulphur deficiency
-
- Early weed control is key
-
- Measure, monitor and test (Use the sward stick and soil sampling)
-
- Plan ahead and field index.
Knowing when to graze grass and for how long requires careful judgement and it is wise to conduct regular
visual checks of the number of tillers present to avoid problems.
GRAZING TOO EARLY
On a new ley, grazing grass too early – before a second new tiller leaf appears – can damage grass
persistency. If a plant’s reserves have not been fully restored, future growth will be in jeopardy. Repetitive
early grazing can permanently decrease grassland yield and persistence. Grazing grasslands at the right
time is especially important through dry summer periods when plants are under stress; grazing the first new
growth after a period of drought and before a tiller has two and a half new leaves in place can kill grass.
GRAZING TOO LATE
If grassland is left to grow too long (>3500 kg DM / ha) it will enter the ceiling phase of grassland growth.
In this phase, tillers continue to produce new leaves, however, there is no further increase in net grassland
mass due to the dying off of older leaves. If grassland isn’t grazed, dead material, which has little feed value,
will build up in the base of sward. This can lead to:
-
- Reduced grassland ME
-
- Increased risk of disease – rust and other forms of fungi can build up on dying leaves
-
- Decreased grassland utilisation – due to the factors above
-
- Reduced clover content – due to shading.
GRASS
WHEN TO GRAZE
TRY THE PLUCK TEST. Grasp the ryegrass seedling firmly between your thumb and forefinger, then tug
in a single, quick movement (to mimic an animal biting). If the leaves break off and the roots stay in the
ground, the pluck test is passed.
In the photos above:
Left: Roots being pulled from ground
Right: Leaves breaking = a good time to start the first grazing.

19. Knowing when to graze grass and for how long
requires careful judgement. To help farmers gauge
when to graze grass, we’ve developed a brand
new sward stick, which is available completely
free of charge. Printed with the optimum heights
for grass for both sheep and beef, our sward stick
is designed to help growers decide when to turn
livestock out, and when to adjust grazing pressure.
We recommend using sward sticks on a weekly
basis – to build up a log of grass growing
information. Farmers should walk each relevant
field, once a week, to monitor sward height.
Following a similar route each time, they should
take 30 to 40 leaf-top readings per field – before
calculating an average and recording it in a notebook. This information can then be used
to aid decision-making and for longer-term seasonal and year-on-year assessments
and adjustments.
We’ve created sward sticks in the past and they’ve proved really popular so make sure you
get hold of yours quickly. Order your FREE Sward Stick at www.barenbrug.co.uk
HEIGHT
(cm)
SPRING
March/April
LATE SPRING
&
SUMMER
May-August
AUTUMN
September-
November
15 2980 3800 3500
TOO
LONG
14 2850 3670 3410
13 2720 3540 3310
12 2590 3400 3180
11 2460 3250 3040
10 2330 3100 2880
OPTIMUM
CATTLE
GRAZING
ZONE
9 2200 2950 2700
8 2070 2800 2500
OPTIMUM
SHEEP
GRAZING
ZONE
7 1930 2640 2300
6 1790 2450 2100
5 1640 2250 1900
4.5
4 1480 1950 1680
3 1300 1650 1460
TOO
SHORT
2 1080 1300 1180
1 800 900 860
SWARD STICK
USE WEEKLY TO MONITOR
SWARD HEIGHTS.
- Walk each field in a similar pattern
- Take 30-40 leaf-top readings per field
(ignore stems, flowers and weeds)
- Avoid unrepresentative areas (eg gateways)
- Calculate averages and record
- Collect data for seasonal and year-on-year
assessment
MEASURE AVERAGE GRASSLAND HEIGHT
Height of tallest clover leaf or average
ryegrass height typically determines
production in kg DM/ha.
DAIRY
SWARD STICK
FIRST GRAZING
The role of first grazing is to stimulate tillering and allow light to the base of the sward, enabling clover to
flourish.
Remember:
-
- Don’t graze too soon
-
- Understand how the ‘Pluck Test’ can help timing
-
- First grazing is not about feeding animals
-
- It’s about removing the tips of the plant to encourage new growth
-
- It’s also about ensuring clover has access to light and an opportunity to establish
-
- This will likely be at the 6-8 week stage under good conditions
-
- Light grazing should occur when a grass passes the “pluck test”
-
- This will accelerate the growth rate and tillering process
-
- Try to use the lightest stock class available
-
- Leave a 4-5cm stubble to allow the plants to recover quicker
-
- In spring, don’t let the grassland cover build up too much
-
- This significantly reduces quality and discourages tillering
-
- In autumn the plant is directing photosynthates to the root system
-
- The more green material it has after grazing, the quicker the plant can recover
-
- This will help the plant to put reserves into the root system aiding the overall persistence
-
- A consistent 4-5cm residual will encourage growth and tillering
-
- It will also help shading and suppression of white clover.
FIRST CUTTING
-
- When cutting leys, leave 8-12cm stubble
-
- This will allow speedy regrowth from live leaves
-
- Try and avoid making heaving cuts of silage within the first 12 months
-
- This damages plants, reduces tillering and growth.
WEED CONTROL
A weed is “a plant in the wrong place”, but weeds can have significant consequences for grass leys. For
example, where a field contains a 20% dock infestation, this can equate to a loss in 20% of potential grass
production. This is due to the persistence of weeds competing for light, nutrients and moisture. Many weeds
will thrive in newly sown leys with less competition. Weeds also love land with poorer soil conditions.
Tackling weeds is essential as they can:
-
- Lead to grazing rejection of surrounding plant material meaning grass is then wasted
-
- Reduce the overall palatability of the sward
-
- Decrease the overall digestibility and energy of the sward
-
- Be injurious when ingested e.g. thistles and nettles
-
- Be poisonous e.g. Ragwort (poisonous to ALL grazing animals) and buttercup
-
- Produce tens of thousands of seeds per year some of which can be viable for 80 years!
-
- Host diseases and pests, which affect other crops as well as grass.
-
- Look unsightly – the worst field is always next to the road!
-
- Trials have shown that up to 15% of grazing losses can be associated with as little as two creeping
thistles/m².
FERTILISER
The UK’s grassland is always deficient in nitrogen (N), which assists with the tillering of ryegrass plants as
well as overall grass health. In a new sward, a clover component will not contribute N immediately - so it is
important to add fertiliser. New grass responds well to regular, light applications of N.
SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT
-
- Control the area grazed each day (or rotation length) to manipulate grass eaten to meet average cover
targets for the farm
-
- Estimate the area and pre-grazing cover required for the animals based on the target grazing residual
and adjust after observing when / if the cows achieve a “consistent, even, grazing height”.
-
- Make management decisions to maximise per animal production for the season not at any one grazing,
the “main course principle - no dessert”
-
- Treat grassland as a crop - remove grass grown since last grazing and prevent post-grazing height
increasing over the season
-
- Use a Sward Stick to monitor height. Maintain cover above 1800kg DM/ha in early spring and between
2000-2400kg DM/ha for the season to maximise grass growth rates
-
- Manage weed control
-
- Plan fertiliser programme.

20. In the UK, perennial ryegrass is the most widespread species of grass for grazing animals. A perennial
ryegrass field is made up of a population of ryegrass tillers. A tiller is made up of a basal stem, a leaf sheath
and – at any one time – three growing leaves.
When the tiller has developed three leaves it will continue to grow. As a fourth new leaf is produced the
oldest leaf starts to die. Then a fifth leaf is produced and the second leaf dies – and so the process continues.
Tillers are largely individual but are clumped together, meaning they can (to some degree) exchange
nutrients. The average field will contain between 3000 to 5000 tillers per square metre.
Perennial ryegrass plants will produce new tillers throughout the growing season with peak production
occurring from late April to July. The time it takes for a tiller to produce three leaves will vary, depending on
the plant, the local climate and the time of year.
In mid spring it may take 15 days for a tiller to produce three leaves, with a new leaf produced every five
days thereafter. In colder periods, it may take up to 50 days for a tiller to reach the three-leaf stage, with a
new leaf produced every 17 days.
Typically, fields grow in three phases, working in line with tiller production and energy reserves:
-
- The lag phase – where grass is typically less than 1200kg DM / ha
-
- The linear phase – where grass is typically between 1200 and 3500kg DM / ha
-
- The ceiling phase – where grass is typically above 3500kg DM / ha.
During the lag phase the tiller grows its first leaf; in the linear phase the second and third leaves develop;
and in the ceiling phase the fourth leaf develops and the first leaf starts to die off.
When striving for peak grass performance, the aim should be to maintain grass growth in the linear phase
of development, where high net growth rates and high grassland quality are achieved.
Ryegrass tiller
Ryegrass clump
Tiller leaf production
Three phases of grassland development
PLANT
PHYSIOLOGY

21. GRASS SEED QUALITY
IMPORTANT FACTS TO CONSIDER
WHEN BUYING SEED
Few farmers would rely on genetics from the past for livestock breeding but many stick with the same grass
seed varieties and mixtures year after year – even if they aren’t delivering the best results.
For some farmers, the prospect of picking a new grass can seem daunting. There are hundreds of different
varieties, blends and mixtures available – so how do you know which one will work best?
If you are unsure about which product to pick, we advise selecting a grass seed from one of the UK’s
Recommended Lists. Bred to perform in UK conditions, grasses included on Recommended Lists have been
have been tried and tested by farmers, who’ve seen real results.
Species Description
Min germ
temperature
Seeds/kg
RYEGRASSES
All ryegrasses are capable of producing high yields of very high quality, high-
energy grass for cattle grazing. They are all very flexible and can be used for both
cutting and grazing. They are very effective users of nitrogen but must be maintained
well to maximise productivity.
PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Lolium perenne
The most popular grass used for dairy enterprises. Gener-
ally persistent for up to five years.
7-8°C
600,000 (dip)
290,000 (tet)
HYBRID RYEGRASS
Lolium perenne
Can extend the shoulders of the grazing season. Hybrid
grasses are also persistent for three to five years depend-
ing on genetic capabilities and can produce up to 10%
more dry matter than perennials.
5-6°C
450,000 (dip)
269,000 (tet)
ITALIAN RYEGRASS
Lolium multiflorum
Generally found in short-term silage mixtures, it is a two-
year species that grow to temperatures as low as 3-4ºC
and can extend the grazing season by three to four weeks
in spring and autumn. Italian ryegrasses are capable of
producing up to 20% more dry matter than perennials.
4-5°C
430,000 (dip)
265,000 (tet)
WESTERWOLD
L o l i u m m u l .
westerwoldicum
Rapidly establishing annual species which gives high pro-
ductivity within 12 months of sowing. This species is useful
for sowing immediately after maize or cereal harvest in
autumn or in spring, when high yields are required within
3-6 months of sowing.
3-4°C
400,000 (dip)
221,000 (tet)
Species Description
Min germ
temperature
Seeds/kg
CLOVER
Clover fixes nitrogen in the soil (figures of 170-220kg N/ha/yr are achievable) -
and is therefore a very valuable species in efficient grassland management.
WHITE CLOVER
An absolute essential for any grazing livestock system.
This perennial species provides ‘free’ nitrogen, which
has been fixed from the atmosphere, and can feed
companion grasses. Adding white clover to grassland
can increase sward digestibility, especially in the summer
period. It can also improve grass protein levels and trials
have proved increase intakes on grass / clover swards
compared to grass alone.
9-10°C 1,500,000
RED CLOVER
Red clover is a useful plant for lactating cows and can
help boost milk production but should be avoided by
pregnant and breeding animals. When well managed,
red clover can persist for up to five years, fixing around
50 kg N/ha/annum more than white clover. Usually
sown with Italian ryegrass in short-term leys, it can also
be sown with perennial and hybrid grasses to extend the
lifetime of a sward by helping to suppress weeds. Red
clover is typically quicker to establish than white clover
although not as long lasting or tolerant of poorer condi-
tions/management.
9-10°C 520,000
As a starting place, perennial ryegrass remains the most popular form of grass for grazing animals in the UK.
But there are many other varieties that the farming sector relies on including clover, herbs and other forms
of forage crops. Used in conjunction with modern grass varieties, in specially devised blends and mixtures,
these can bring big yield benefits – giving animals additional essential vitamins and minerals to help weight
gain, while also reducing nitrogen fertiliser requirements.
Over the following pages we’ve put together a quick guide to the main species available, and most
beneficial to UK farmers.
TOOLS

22. BUTTERCUPS
WEEDS
IDENTIFICATION
There are lots of weeds that can invade pastures, and here we have tried to list all the ones that are relevant to grassland
and pasture in the UK.
For more specific advice on how to control weeds in your grassland visit Dow Agrosciences website at
http://uk.dowagro.com/product-category/grassland/
Annual Meadow-grass is a low-growing grass which is a light green colour.
It grows from a central base, to which all the shoots can be traced, and has a
creeping rootstock.
The blade-like leaves are blunt-tipped and the yellow-green flower head is
triangular with branched spikelets that contain the flowers.
ANNUAL MEADOWGRASS
Poa annua
Docks (Rumex spp.) are the most pernicious and damaging of all grassland
weeds.
-
- Docks compete with grass for light, nutrients and moisture and reduce grass yields and
have less than 65% of the feed value of grass
-
- Docks are unpalatable and, in general, animals will only eat them if there is nothing else
available. Excessive quantities of docks in the diet can cause dietary upsets, especially
in young animals. When fields become infested with docks, the available grazing is
reduced, which then impacts on the planned grazing cycle. Presence of docks in silage
can affect fermentation, thus reducing overall quality.
DOCKS
Rumex spp.
A critical weed to be able to identify, and remove, is Ragwort. This weed is
potentially deadly to livestock and is listed in the Injurious Weeds Act, which
occupiers can be required by law to control. Under the Ragwort Control Act
(2003), a code of practice was developed giving guidance on identification,
priorities for control, methods, environmental considerations, and health and
safety issues.
-
- They have a daisy-like yellow flower, flowering from May to October
-
- Ragwort is a danger to all stock, but particularly horses, cattle, free-range pigs and
chickens. Alkaloids cause cirrhosis of the liver and there is no known antidote
-
- Ragwort is largely unpalatable; ragwort may be eaten when green, particularly when
other grazing is sparse. It is palatable when dead or dying because of the release of
sugars, so contamination of hay or silage is very dangerous.
RAGWORT
Creeping buttercup is the most common species and is a problem in heavily
grazed, poached or wet pastures.
-
- Animals tend not to graze areas infested with buttercup as it has an acrid taste and
affects grass yield and reduces hay value.
There are 150 species of thistles worldwide, with 20 in the UK.
-
- Thistles need controlling as they compete with grass for space, light, nutrients and water
-
- Thistles are unpalatable to stock and reduce the available grazing, whilst increasing the
incidences of Orf.
-
- The two most common and damaging are creeping thistle and spear (Scotch) thistle.
-
- Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense): A perennial that grows from seed or from root
sections in the soil. Once established, the root mass can be greater than the plant above
ground, competing effectively with the grass.
-
- Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare): A biennial that grows from seed, and in the first year often
goes unnoticed, since it produces only a small rosette. In the second year the plant can
grow to over a metre in diameter before flowering, posing a serious economic threat.
THISTLES
Favouring high-fertility sites, nettles spread through tough roots forming clumps.
-
- Nettles compete with grass for light, water and nutrients and, where nettles are dense,
will out-compete the sward
-
- Grazing stock avoids mature nettles, reducing the productivity of the swards.
-
- Nettles in hay or silage may cause rejection by stock because of the contamination
-
- Best controlled in the spring when they are 30-45cm tall
-
- Frequently cutting nettles often results in more vigorous regrowth.
NETTLES
Common Chickweed is the most common annual weed and can persist in
rotational grass and establish in long-term pastures where there are gaps in
swards due to poaching or slurry injection.
-
- With a prostrate habit and fast growth, chickweed restricts tillering of establishing grass
and clover and fills in bare spaces in swards
-
- Autumn sowings can be a problem as chickweed may overtake the slower establishing
grasses and clovers, filling in bare patches
-
- Its high moisture content will cause difficulties when trying to wilt for silage and also upset
silage fermentation affecting the feed value
-
- It will also mean a longer drying time for hay-making with loss of quality
-
- Large chickweed populations may cause digestive upset in grazing lambs and calves.
CHICKWEED
TOOLS

23. DISEASES
IDENTIFICATION
PESTS
IDENTIFICATION TOOLS
Characterised by scattered orange spores over the leaves, seen in late August
and September.
Occurs with high rates of grass growth combined with warm days and dewy
nights i.e more uncontrolled growth results in more dead material at base of plant
(higher probability of harbouring spores).
Tends to reduce yield as a result of plant stress and decrease in palatability.
Spread by wind and rain splash.
CROWN RUST
Characterised by White “sappy substance” and becomes more active during the
spring and autumn periods.
Spores are produced in warm, humid conditions and damage leaf area, reducing
yield and palatability. Particularly susceptible plants are the faster growing
ryegrasses species such at Italians.
Spread by wind and rain splash and remain dormant through winter periods to
become active early spring. Dead material and excess growth provide shade and
high humidity, the ideal environment for mildew!
MILDEW
Brown Rust occurs early in the season, during April and May and throughout
England and Wales.
It only affects ryegrasses and is a different species to the brown rusts that infects
wheat and barley. It can reach moderate levels in some varieties, but most have
good resistance.
It can reach moderate levels in some varieties, but most have good resistance.
A fungal infection that produces brown spots surrounded by yellowing tissue,
which is encouraged by wet and cloudy weather.
Cattle reject infected areas leading to excess growth and more disease build up.
Controlled by variety selection and excess growth management, topping grazing
and encouraging new growth.
Spread by spores, wind and rain.
LEAF SPOT
Drechslera
BROWN RUST
The Grey Field Slug (Deroceras reticulatum) is particularly active in wet seasons
especially on the heavier soil types.
It feeds on the shoots of newly germinated seeds, killing the plant entirely and
may leave large areas completely devoid of plants. Damage is therefore most
likely on direct reseeded leys. Other symptoms include shredding of the leaves
of older plants. Slime trails would also be obvious.
SLUGS
This larva of the Frit fly (Oscinella frit) attacks all cereal and grass crops
especially those following grassy stubbles or grass. The Frit fly larvae are
yellow-whitish in colour and can grow to 5 mm long.
To help prevent Fritfly, leave a 10 week gap between the previous grass crop
or grassy stubble. If grass is sown after, grass seedlings will be attacked by
larvae migrating out of the old sward in addition to those hatching from eggs
laid by incoming adult flies. The problem is more acute in direct drilled reseeds
than reseeding after ploughing.
FRITFLY
The larvae of several species of chafer beetle can also cause damage to
grassland in various parts of the UK. The adults are 8-10 mm long with a green
head and thorax and reddish brown wing cases:
-
- The grubs are white and about 18-20 mm long when fully grown
-
- The feeding of the larvae produces patches of poorly grown grass that may turn very
brown in dry weather
-
- Damage is most likely to be seen in September–October
-
- Substantial bird activity may indicate infestation, as they actively search out the grubs
-
- Once infested, pastures tend to be re-infested in subsequent seasons unless they are
treated with an appropriate agrochemical.
Leatherjackets are the larvae of Crane-flies (Tipula spp), also known as Daddy-
long-legs. Theses soil living larvae cause considerable damage to roots and
stems of many agricultural and horticultural crops, particularly of young plants.
-
- Legless, grey brown thick, tough wrinkled skin - growing to about 2 inches in length
-
- On established grassland high infestations may result in large bare patches appearing
in the field. With low levels of infestation spring growth may be impeded.
-
- Reduces yield and, at the economic threshold of 1 million leatherjackets per ha, the
weight of leatherjackets feeding below ground can be greater than the weight of
livestock above ground. New sowings or reseeded leys may be completely destroyed
-
- The presence of large numbers of rooks, crows and starlings also indicates the
presence of large populations of leatherjackets.
LEATHERJACKET
CHAFERS

24. | BARFORAGE FOCUS GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT| | BARFORAGE FOCUS GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT|
FIELD NAME:
MIXTURE/SPECIES SOWN:
Date:
Score:
pH:
P and K Index:
Fertiliser Applications:
Cutting/Grazing Regime:
SCORING INDEX
NOTES/PLANNED ACTIONS
FIELD NAME:
MIXTURE/SPECIES SOWN:
Date:
Score:
pH:
P and K Index:
Fertiliser Applications:
Cutting/Grazing Regime:
SCORING INDEX
NOTES/PLANNED ACTIONS

26. Agrovista UK Limited trading as
South West Seeds
Kilfaddoch
Closeburn
Thornhill
Dumfriesshire
DG3 5HW
Tel: 01848 331416
Fax: 01848 331554
www.agrovista.co.uk
Barenbrug UK Ltd,
33 Perkins Road,
Rougham Industrial Estate,
Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk
IP30 9ND
Phone: +44 (0) 1359 272000
www.barenbrug.co.uk
Barenbrug UK Ltd,
Units 5-7 Abbots Road,
Bankside Industrial Estate
Falkirk,
Scotland
FK2 7XP
Phone: +44 (0) 1324 633188
info@barenbrug.co.uk